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Saturday, May 20, 2017

Purpose and Passion: Mary of Bethany

Matthew 26: 6-13
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman
came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured
on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant.
“Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high
price and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are
you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor
you will always have with you, but you
will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did
it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached
throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

In Jesus time, before a person was buried his
loved ones poured oil on the body as an acknowledgement of their love and to
help with the decomposition. When the woman in the story poured her perfume on
Jesus head the disciples didn't understand. But the woman did. This woman who
is the sister of Martha, from the Martha and Mary story, loved Jesus. He was
her mentor, her teacher, and her friend. And she knew his time on earth would
soon end.

Mary of Bethany is one of my favorite women in the
Bible. If you remember, she was the one who sat at Jesus feet while Martha
prepared food for their company. Now she's going against the societal grain
again and preparing Jesus for his death, when he hasn't yet died. The beauty in
Mary's story is her obedience. God gave her a task to do and she listened. Both
times, in Simon the Leper's home and in her own house, she worshiped Jesus.
Without doubt, Mary understood Jesus inevitable demise, but she also knew in
her heart he was the King of kings and he'd keep his promise to return.

Mary had a heart for God, faith in Jesus, and an understanding
of her purpose. Someone said the other day, find your passion and you'll find
your purpose. Mary's passion was obeying God, her purpose was being a dear
friend to Jesus. I believe God places our purpose on our hearts and guides us
in them day-to-day. Mine is encouraging and giving hope. I can't change the world,
but I can share my love for Jesus and offer hope in the midst of strife. I pray
I have a heart for Jesus as Mary did; that I'll do beautiful things for my
Lord.